For a while the Catalan press have been dismissive, and at times even disrespectful, towards Liverpool as a football club. The Premier League side were expected to bow to Barcelona’s demands for Coutinho and accept a price the Catalan club thought reasonable.
For a while it’s been stated that Liverpool’s asking price for a winter move is €150m, and Barcelona wouldn’t need to go to that amount, according to Sport and Mundo Deportivo.
Now it’s all different, Sport fluff their feathers and go in on Friday with confidence that a Coutinho deal isn’t too far away. It’s stated Barcelona’s first offer will be a package reaching €130m, but the club are ‘aware’ the final cost could be €150m.
That’s what it’s been claimed Liverpool find acceptable, and finally Barcelona are realising they can’t bully the Anfield club.
Once again, personal terms aren’t presented as a problem, and it’s stated Coutinho has already agreed a salary of €14m per year after tax, which places him on the ‘second step’ of Barcelona earners.
Sport point out it’s crucial for Barcelona to get rid of some players to make the Coutinho signing easier, and Arda Turan is once again named.
